Stylized writing instrument

ABSTRACT

A stylized writing instrument shaped like a proprietary or familiar object. In general, embodiments of the invention include a housing shaped like the proprietary or familiar object, a writing implement, and internal mechanisms provided within the housing for extending the writing implement from, and retracting the writing implement into, the housing. The internal mechanisms may comprise a wide variety of actuation systems for extending and retracting the writing implement, including a cam actuation assembly, an edge slide actuation assembly, a gravity actuation assembly, a pressure actuation assembly and a push button actuation assembly.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/569,217, filed May 11, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,441;which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/480,009, filed Jan. 10, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,710; which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/434,828 filed Nov.5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,231.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a writing instrument and in particularto a writing instrument shaped like a familiar and/or proprietaryobject.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Business entities and organizations have long used pens and otherwriting instruments to promote their name, products and services. Bymass distribution of pens having a name, slogan, symbol or other indiciaof ownership printed on the pen casing, the entity or organization isable to keep their corporate image in the minds of consumers as the penspass through commerce.

However, there is nothing distinct about the shape of the pen itselfwhich would serve to engender a particular corporate image, and unlessthe promotional information printed on a pen is read or studied, theinformation is useless as a promotional tool. Moreover, even whenclosely examined, words and images printed on pens are less effective atpromoting a product or business than the actual products and symbols ofthat particular business.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide awriting instrument having greater promotional and advertising value thana conventional writing instrument.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a writinginstrument shaped like a proprietary object which conjures a corporateimage without having to read or study information printed on a side ofthe instrument.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a noveltywriting instrument shaped like a familiar, easily recognizable object.

It is another advantage of the present invention that it remains in theshape of a proprietary and/or familiar object at all times, even duringuse.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a writinginstrument in the shape of a proprietary and/or familiar object in whicha pen tip may be easily extended and retracted.

These and other advantages are provided by the present invention whichin general relates to a stylized writing instrument shaped like aproprietary and/or familiar object. In general, embodiments of theinvention include a housing shaped like the proprietary and/or familiarobject, a writing implement, and internal mechanisms provided within thehousing for moving the writing implement between its extended andretracted positions. The internal mechanisms may comprise a wide varietyof actuation systems for extending and retracting the writing implement,including, for example a cam actuation assembly, an edge slide actuationassembly, a gravity actuation assembly, a pressure actuation assemblyand a push button actuation assembly.

In embodiments of the present invention including the cam actuationassembly, the outer housing may include first and second coversrotatably affixed to each other. The covers define an interior space inwhich a pen guide having a pen cartridge attached thereto is seated. Oneof the covers includes a cam on an inner surface, which mates with a camfollower on a juxtaposed surface of the pen guide. Upon rotation of thecovers with respect to each other, the cam on the cover and cam followeron the pen guide cause the pen cartridge to move between its extendedand retracted positions.

In embodiments of the present invention including the edge slideassembly, the outer housing is formed by a pair of fixedly attachedcovers which enclose a pen cartridge and an edge slide having afinger-actuated portion extending out beyond the housing. The edge slideincludes a sloped surface capable of acting on the pen cartridge sothat, by sliding the edge slide between a first and second position, thecartridge may be moved between its extended and retracted positions.

In embodiments of the present invention including a gravity activationassembly, the outer housing is again formed by a pair of fixedlyattached covers which enclose a pen cartridge seated within a channel.The channel further includes a detent along its length, and a lockingball seated atop the pen cartridge. When the writing instrument istilted downward, gravity causes the pen cartridge to extend from thehousing, at which point the locking ball seats partially within thedetent, thereby locking the pen in the extended position. In order toretract the pen cartridge, the instrument is tilted upward, so that theball falls out of the detent and gravity retracts the cartridge. Thisembodiment may include a cover along an edge of the writing instrumentto prevent the pen tip from extending when the instrument is not in use.

In embodiments of the present invention including a pressure activationassembly, the outer housing is formed by a pair of covers having adegree of flexibility and elasticity. The covers enclose a cartridgeextension mechanism capable of extending the pen cartridge from thehousing upon application of a pressure to the respective covers, andretracting the pen cartridge into the housing upon removal of thepressure from the covers. It is also contemplated in this embodimentthat the pen cartridge may be extended as a result of a pressure appliedto the edges of the housing.

In embodiments of the present invention including a push buttonactivation assembly, the housing is formed by a pair of fixedly attachedcovers which enclose a pen cartridge. The pen cartridge may be movedbetween its extended and retracted positions by a conventional pushbutton assembly which is well known in the pen industry for extendingand retracting a pen out of an elongated pen casing.

A writing instrument including any of the above actuation systems may beformed with the shape, appearance, texture and/or color of a widevariety of familiar and/or proprietary objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the writing instrument;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the writing instrument with the pencartridge in an extended position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the writing instrument;

FIG. 4 is an exploded bottom perspective view including a perspectiveview of the inner surface of the first cover, a perspective view of thebottom of the pen guide, and a perspective view of the outer surface ofthe second cover;

FIG. 5 is an exploded top perspective view including a perspective viewof the outer surface of the first cover, a perspective view of the topof the pen guide, and a perspective view of the inner surface of thesecond cover;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the pen in a retracted position with hiddenmembers shown in phantom;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view through line A—A in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top view showing the pen cartridge partiallyextended;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional top view showing the pen cartridge fullyextended;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the first coveraccording to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the second coveraccording to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a pen guide and pen cartridge accordingto the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 13 is a top view according to alternative embodiments shown inFIGS. 10–12 with the various internal components shown in phantom;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the first coveraccording to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the second coveraccording to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a pen guide and pen cartridge accordingto the embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a top view according to alternative embodiments shown inFIGS. 14–16 with the various internal components shown in phantom;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17with the pen cartridge partially extended;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17with the pen cartridge fully extended;

FIG. 20 is a top view with the cover removed according to an alternativeembodiment of the present invention with the pen cartridge in aretracted position;

FIG. 21 is a top view with the cover removed according to thealternative embodiment shown in FIG. 20 with the pen cartridge in anextended position;

FIG. 22 is a top view with the cover removed according to a furtheralternative embodiment of the present invention with the pen cartridgein a retracted position;

FIG. 23 is the square-shaped pen embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a top view of a square-shaped pen embodiment of FIG. 23 withthe internal components shown in phantom;

FIG. 25 is a top view with the cover removed showing the edge slideembodiment with the pen in the retracted position;

FIG. 25A is a perspective view of the pen shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 26 is a top view with the cover removed showing the edge slideembodiment with the pen in the extended position;

FIG. 26A is a perspective view of the pen shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 27 is a top view with the cover removed of the gravity actuatedembodiment showing the pen in a retracted position and the locking ballseated within a detent;

FIG. 28 is a top view with the cover removed as in FIG. 27 but furtherincluding a cover for covering a hole through which the pen tip extendson the edge of the pen;

FIG. 28A is a top view with the cover removed of the gravity fedembodiment of FIG. 28 showing the pen cartridge locked in the extendedposition;

FIG. 29 is a top view with the cover removed of an alternative gravityactuated embodiment showing the pen in a retracted position and thelocking ball seated atop a back end of the pen cartridge;

FIG. 29A is a top view with the cover removed of the gravity fedembodiment of FIG. 29 showing the pen cartridge locked in the extendedposition;

FIG. 30A is a cross-sectional top view through section line A—A of FIG.28 showing the detents into which the locking ball locks;

FIG. 30B is a cross-sectional top view showing a single detent;

FIG. 30C is a cross-sectional top view showing greater than two detents;

FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the writing instrumentincluding the ratchet-type push button activation protruding from a sideof the pen opposite where the pen tip protrudes;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 31 withthe pen in an extended position;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 31 withthe pen in a partially extended position;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 31 withthe pen in a retracted position;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the inner surface of the firstcover according to a further alternative embodiment including slidingcovers;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing the pen cartridge according to thealternative embodiment including sliding covers;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing the inner surface of the secondcover according to the alternative embodiment including sliding covers;

FIG. 38 is a side view according to the alternative embodiment includingsliding covers showing the pen tip in a retracted position;

FIG. 39 is a side view according to the alternative embodiment includingsliding covers showing the covers sliding with respect to each other toextend the pen tip;

FIG. 40 is a side view according to the alternative embodiment includingsliding covers showing the pen tip extended;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing the housing shaped like twobottlecaps joined together;

FIG. 41A is a perspective view of bottle cap;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like acookie;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like ahamburger;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like acompact disc;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like agambling chip;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like achocolate candy piece;

FIGS. 47 and 47A are perspective views of the present invention shapedlike a chocolate covered peanut candy piece;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like acandy piece;

FIGS. 49 and 49A are perspective views of the present invention shapedlike a computer chip;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like afloppy disk;

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like awatch including minute and second hands;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like awatch including a digital readout;

FIGS. 53 and 53A are perspective views of the present invention shapedlike an ice cream container cover;

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like acoaster;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like apill;

FIGS. 56 and 56A are perspective views of the present invention shapedlike a capsule;

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like aplate;

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like amake-up compact;

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like arivet;

FIGS. 60 and 60A are perspective views of the present invention shapedlike a coin;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like acracker;

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like arotary phone dial;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like atire;

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like adouble-sided chocolate chip cookie;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like apizza;

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like abottle;

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like ahockey puck;

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like agolf ball;

FIGS. 68A and 68B are cross-sectional views of an alternative embodimentto that shown in FIG. 68;

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like abasketball;

FIGS. 69A and 69B are cross-sectional views of an alternative embodimentto that shown in FIG. 69;

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like asoccer ball;

FIGS. 70A and 70B are cross-sectional views of an alternative embodimentto that shown in FIG. 70;

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like atennis ball;

FIGS. 71A and 71B are cross-sectional views of an alternative embodimentto that shown in FIG. 71;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like afootball;

FIGS. 72A and 72B are cross-sectional views of an alternative embodimentto that shown in FIG. 72;

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like abaseball;

FIGS. 73A and 73B are cross-sectional views of an alternative embodimentto that shown in FIG. 73;

FIG. 74 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like avolleyball;

FIGS. 74A and 74B are cross-sectional views of an alternative embodimentto that shown in FIG. 74;

FIG. 75 is a perspective view showing a screwdriver extending from thehousing instead of a writing instrument;

FIG. 76 is a perspective view of the instrument showing a cutting bladeextending from the housing instead of a writing instrument;

FIG. 77 is a perspective view of the instrument showing a flashlightextending from the housing instead of a writing instrument;

FIGS. 78–82 illustrate perspective and top views of an embodiment of thepresent invention including a hole in the center of the writinginstrument;

FIGS. 83–85 illustrate an exploded perspective and top views of thegravity activated embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 86–88 illustrate an exploded perspective and top views of analternative embodiment of the gravity activated embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 89 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe gravity actuated writing instrument;

FIGS. 90–92 are cross-sectional views of the embodiment of the writinginstrument shown in FIG. 89;

FIGS. 93–95 are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of theratchet assembly writing instrument shown in FIGS. 35–40;

FIGS. 96–98 are exploded perspective and cross-sectional views of analternative embodiment of the ratchet assembly writing instrument shownin FIGS. 93–95;

FIG. 99 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like acompact disk case;

FIG. 100 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like abook;

FIG. 101 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like acereal box;

FIG. 102 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like acigarette pack;

FIGS. 103 and 104 are perspective views of the present invention shapedlike a laundry detergent container;

FIG. 105 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like abar of soap;

FIG. 106 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like abottle of alcohol;

FIG. 107 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like abox for a bar of soap; and

FIG. 108 is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like amatchbox.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.1–108, which in general relate to a writing instrument which may beshaped as a familiar and/or proprietary object. While the writinginstrument according to preferred embodiments is a pen, it is understoodthat the writing instrument may alternatively be a marker, pencil,chalk, crayon or any of various other known writing instruments.Moreover, as set forth in greater detail below, the instrument accordingto the present invention may alternatively contain a tool such as ascrewdriver, cutting blade or light source.

Writing Instrument Including Cam Assembly

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 1–24. As shown therein, a writing instrument 100includes a housing 102 formed of a first circular cover 104 and a secondcircular cover 106. As depicted in FIGS. 1–9, the writing instrument 100is formed to look like a bottle cap which may have a proprietary logothereon (not shown in FIGS. 1–9) such as that of Coke® or Pepsi®.However, the outward appearance of the writing instrument 100 shown inFIGS. 1–9 is but one of a wide variety of shapes and appearances of theinstrument, and is provided by way of example only. As set forth ingreater detail below, the outward size, appearance and texture of thewriting instrument may be that of various other proprietary objects orsymbols, such as for example an auto manufacturer's emblem, includingthat of Cadillac™, Lincoln™ or Mercedes™. The outward size, appearanceand texture of the writing instrument may alternatively be that of afamiliar object, such as a coin or a food item, for example a cracker.Furthermore, the outward size, appearance and texture of the writinginstrument may be formed to have an artistic design or picture. Asdescribed in greater detail below, various other outward sizes,appearances and textures for writing instrument 100 are contemplated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1–5, the first cover 104 includes an outersurface 108 formed in the general size, appearance and/or texture of afamiliar and/or proprietary object. The cover 104 further includes aninner, generally planar surface 110 including a generally circularshaped outer wall 112 extending away from the inner surface, at an outercircumference of the cover 104. The outer wall 112 extends aroundsubstantially the entire circumference of cover 104, but has a hole 114defining an opening through which a pen cartridge tip can extend andretract as explained hereinafter. The second cover 106 similarlyincludes an outer surface 116 formed in the size, appearance and/ortexture of a familiar and/or proprietary object. Inner surface 118includes a generally circular shaped wall 120 extending away from theinner surface, near an outer circumference of the cover 106. The innerwall 120 extends around a substantial portion of the cover 106, but hasa break which defines a gap 122.

The first and second covers may fit concentrically over each other sothat the wall 112 lies circumjacent around the inner wall 120, and inclose engagement thereto, with an inner surface of the wall 112 lying incontact with an outer surface of the wall 120. As is known in the art, asmall lip may be formed around a top portion of wall 112, which mateswithin a small annular detent at the base of wall 120. The mating of thelip within the detent holds the first and second covers together whenassembled while allowing relative rotation of the covers. As would beunderstood by those of skill in the art, the first and second covers maybe rotationally affixed to each other by other fastening schemes.

The walls 112 and 120 also serve to space the first and second coversfrom each other when attached so as to define an internal space withinthe housing 102 for the internal components of the writing instrumentwhich are discussed hereinafter. The outer surface of wall 112 which isvisible on the outside of the writing instrument 100 is also formed tolook and/or feel like corresponding portions of the object emulated bythe writing instrument.

The size of the writing instrument may vary to generally match that ofthe object being emulated. The covers 104 and 106 are preferably formedof a rigid and durable polymer having smooth inner surfaces, such as anyof various plastics, and may be formed by injection molding. It isunderstood however that the covers 104 and 106 may be formed of variousother materials and by various other processes in alternativeembodiments. For example, the covers may alternatively be formed ofvarious metals, such as gold, silver and aluminum, various magneticmaterials such as for example cobalt or nickel, various woods, such aspine and oak, or various combinations of the above. Moreover, the coversmay alternatively be formed by processes such as stamping or machining.The covers 104 and 106 may also be painted, coated and/or textured totake on the appearance and/or feel of the desired object.

Referring now to FIGS. 4–9, in a preferred embodiment, the inner surface118 of second cover 106 includes walls which define an arcuate track 124acting as a cam. The inner surface 110 of the first cover 104 includes apair of spaced apart walls which form a pair of linear guides 126. Thetrack 124 may alternatively be located in the inner surface of cover104, and the linear guides 126 may alternatively be located in the innersurface of cover 106 in different embodiments.

The writing instrument 100 according to the present embodiment furtherincludes a pen guide 128 acting as a cam follower seated within thehousing 102 in the space between the respective covers 104 and 106 intheir assembled position. The pen guide 128 has a first surface 130including a protruding, circular track following section 132, and asecond surface 134 opposite the first including a spaced apart pair ofindented guide following sections 136. The pen guide further includes awriting implement, such as a pen cartridge 138 with a writing tip,pressed into a hole formed in a circumferential edge of the pen guide128. It is understood that the writing tip may include a relativelyblunt tip to minimize the risk of injury if the pen tip impacts againstthe skin or eyes of a user of the pen. As previously indicated, writingimplements other than pen cartridges may be used. The cartridge 138stores and supplies ink to the tip of the pen. In alternativeembodiments, an interior portion of the pen guide may be hollow todefine an additional ink reservoir for storing and supplying ink to thetip of the pen.

The pen guide 128 preferably includes smooth, low friction surfaces, andmay be formed of a rigid and durable polymer, such as any of variousplastics, by injection molding. It is understood however that the penguide 128 may be formed of various other materials and by various otherprocesses in alternative embodiments. The footprint shape of the penguide 128 may vary in alternative embodiments with the provision thatthe pen guide not be inhibited from pivoting within the housing 102 asexplained below. The pen guide may also include an air channel 139communicated through to the hole in which the pen cartridge is seated.The air channel allows equalization of the pressure within the pencartridge to that of the surrounding atmosphere.

The operation of the writing instrument 100 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 toextend and retract the pen cartridge upon rotation of the covers 104 and106 will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 4–9. When the writinginstrument 100 is assembled, the pen guide 128 lies between therespective covers 104 and 106 with the track following section 132 ofthe pen guide lying within the track 124 on the inner surface 118 of thesecond cover 106. The guide following sections 136 on the opposite sideof the pen guide from the track following section ride over therespective linear guides 126 on the inner surface 110 of the first cover104. (FIG. 6 illustrates the components within the respective covers inphantom lines, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show the pen in cross section, forclarity.)

Rotation of the second cover clockwise from the view of FIGS. 6, 8 and 9with respect to the first cover, (i.e. within a plane of rotationreflected in this instance by the plane of the page), causes rotation ofthe track 124 as shown. Rotation of the track 124 in turn causestranslation of the track following section 132, which is constrained totranslate vertically from the views of FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, (i.e. withinsaid plane of rotation), as a result of the guide following sections 136riding along the linear guides 126. Thus, rotation of the secondcoverfrom the position shown in FIG. 6, through the position shown inFIG. 8, to the position shown in FIG. 9 results in the writing end ofthe cartridge 138 moving, within said plane of rotation, from itsretracted position to its extended position. In a preferred embodiment,cover 104 preferably further includes a pair of stops 137 extending upfrom the inner surface 110. As seen in FIG. 9, when in the fullyextended position, the pen guide 128 abuts up against the stops 137 toprevent further respective rotation of the covers 104 and 106 and todefine a maximum extension of the pen tip from the housing.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when in the retractedposition, the wall 120 covers the hole 114 through which the pen tipextends. However, upon rotation of the cover 106, the gap 122 in thewall 120 aligns with the hole 114 to allow the pen tip to extend throughthe hole 114 and out of the housing. It is understood that inalternative embodiments, the wall 120 need not extend as far around theperiphery of the cover 106 as shown, so that the wall does not cover thehole 114 when the pen tip is in the retracted position.

In order to retract the pen cartridge 138 from its extended position,the first and/or second covers are rotated in the opposite directionthan to extend the pen cartridge. This rotation results in the pen guide128 and the pen cartridge 138 moving from the position shown in FIG. 9to the position shown in FIG. 6. The arcuate track 124 is configured sothat a 90° rotation of the covers with respect to each other results inan approximate ¼ inch translation of the pen cartridge, which issufficient to move the pen cartridge between its extended and retractedpositions. The configuration of the track 124 may be varied so thatvarious other angles of rotation of the covers result in the sametranslation of the pen cartridge in alternative embodiments. Suchvarious other angles may range between 30° and 180° in one alternativeembodiment. It is further contemplated that the relative positions ofthe track 124 in cover 106 and the track following section 132 in penguide 128 may be reversed in alternative embodiments. It is similarlycontemplated that the positions of the linear guides in cover 104 andthe guide following sections 136 in the pen guide 128 may be reversed inalternative embodiments.

It is understood that other cam assemblies and configurations may beutilized according to the first embodiment of the present invention toextend and retract the pen cartridge upon rotation of the covers 104 and106. One such alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10–13. As shown,the cover 106 may include an arcuate track 124 substantially asdescribed above. The cover 104 may similarly include guides 140 betweenwhich the pen guide 128 translates. In the current embodiment, the penguide 128 is slightly modified in shape as shown in FIG. 12 relative tothat described above so as to fit between the guides 140. However, asdescribed above, the pen guide 128 still includes the track followingsection 132 which fits within the track 124 when the respective covers104, 106 are assembled as shown in FIG. 13. (FIG. 13 illustrates thecomponents within the respective covers in phantom lines for clarity.)As described above, rotation of the first cover with respect to thesecond cover causes rotation of the track 124, which in turn causestranslation of the track following section 132. The track followingsection 132 is constrained to translate left and right from the view ofFIG. 13 as a result of the guides 140. The guides 140 may each include ashoulder 142 which define stops against which portions of the pen guide128 abut when the pen is in the fully extended position.

A further alternative embodiment employing a cam arrangement is shown inFIGS. 14–19. According to this embodiment, the inner surface 110 offirst cover 104 includes a raised section defining an oblong-shaped cam144 having one end at the center of the cover 104 and having a secondend extending radially outward therefrom toward the outer circumferenceof the cover. The inner surface 118 of the second cover 106 includes adepression defining a track 145 extending diagonally across the innersurface 118, through the center of the cover 106. The cam 144 mayalternatively be located in the inner surface of cover 106, and thetrack 145 may alternatively be located in the inner surface of cover 104in different embodiments.

The writing instrument 100 according to the embodiment of FIGS. 14–19further includes a pen guide 128 seated within the housing 102 in thespace between the respective covers 104 and 106 in their assembledposition. The pen guide 128 according to this embodiment has a firstsurface 130 including an indented cam following section 146. The secondsurface 134 of the pen guide includes a track following section (notshown) which rides within track 145.

When the writing instrument 100 is assembled, the pen guide 128 liesbetween the respective covers 104 and 106 with the cam following section146 of the pen guide residing over the cam 144 on the inner surface 110of the first cover 104. (FIG. 17 illustrates the components within therespective covers in phantom lines, and FIGS. 18 and 19 show the pen incross section, for clarity.) Rotation of the first cover with respect tothe second cover causes the cam 144 to engage against and ride along afirst portion 148 of the cam following section 146. This engagementcauses translation of the pen guide and pen cartridge from theirretracted position shown in FIG. 17, through their position shown inFIG. 18, to their extended position shown in FIG. 19. This embodimentmay optionally further include a pair of guideposts 149 for furtherguiding the pen cartridge as it translates between its extended andretracted positions. Although not shown, the track 145 in the secondcover 106 rides within the track following section on the pen guide 128to ensure pure translation of the pen guide and pen cartridge.

In order to retract the pen cartridge 138 from its extended position,the first and second covers are rotated in the opposite direction thanto extend the pen cartridge. Such rotation causes the cam 144 to engageagainst and ride along a second portion 150 of the cam following section146. This engagement results in the pen guide 128 and the pen cartridge138 moving from the position shown in FIG. 9 to the position shown inFIG. 6. The cam and cam following sections are configured so that a 90°rotation of the covers with respect to each other results in anapproximate ¼ inch translation of the pen cartridge, which is sufficientto move the pen cartridge between its extended and retracted positions.The configuration of the cam and cam following section may be varied sothat various other angles of rotation of the covers result in the sametranslation of the pen cartridge in alternative embodiments. Suchvarious other angles may range between 30° and 180° in one alternativeembodiment. It is further contemplated that the positions of the cam incover 104 and the cam following member in pen guide 128 may be reversedin alternative embodiments. It is similarly contemplated that thepositions of the track in cover 106 and the track following section inthe pen guide 128 may be reversed in alternative embodiments.

A further alternative cam embodiment is shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. Inthis embodiment, a pen guide 152 comprises a span 154, preferably formedof a durable, elastic polymer such as any of various plastics, andhaving a modulus of elasticity allowing the span to repeatably flexbetween the positions shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. The first cover 104according to this embodiment preferably includes a pair of braces 156mounted to the inner cover 110 for supporting the ends 158 of the penguide 152 acting as a cam follower. The second cover 106 according tothis embodiment preferably includes an oval-shaped cam 160 mounted toinner surface 118 (not shown in FIGS. 20 and 21). It is understood thatthe positions of the braces 156 and cam 160 on the respective covers maybe switched in alternative embodiments.

When the second cover 106 is rotated with respect to the first cover104, the cam 160 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 20 to theposition shown in FIG. 21. During such movement, the cam 160 bearsagainst a central portion 162 of the pen guide 152 to force the penguide downward and to extend the pen cartridge from the housing 102. Theelasticity of the pen guide according to this embodiment biases the penguide to its unflexed position shown in FIG. 20, so that upon rotationof the second cover from the position shown in FIG. 21 to the positionshown in FIG. 20, the pen cartridge retracts back into the housing.

As shown in FIG. 22, those of skill in the art would appreciate that theends of pen guide 152 used to bias the pen cartridge back to itsretracted position may be omitted, and replaced by some other biasingforce such as a spring 164. Other cam assemblies and configurations arealso contemplated.

Up to this point, the covers 104 and 106 have been described as beingcircular. It is understood that the covers may have different shapes inalternative embodiments. For example, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, thehousing 102 may be square. As shown in FIG. 24, the pen cartridge 138may be moved between its extended and retracted positions with internalcomponents such as those described above with respect to FIGS. 4–9. Itis understood that the internal components according to otherembodiments may be used with the square covers as well. It is furthercontemplated that one of the covers be square, and that the other coverbe circular and rotationally mounted within the square cover. One ofskill in the art would appreciate for example how to modify cover 106 asdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1–9 to have a square footprint.Furthermore, in all embodiments including a square housing, it isunderstood that the pen tip may protrude from the housing 102 along oneof the four straight sides of the housing or at a corner where two sidesof the housing come together.

The covers 104 and 106 may alternatively be other shapes, such aspentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, oval, oblong andirregular. Regardless of the shape, it is preferable that the anglethrough which the covers rotate to extend and retract the pen cartridgetip is provided so that the edges of the two covers align when the pencartridge is both in the fully extended and retracted positions. It ishowever contemplated that the edges of the respective covers 104 and 106not align with each other when the pen cartridge is in its fullyextended and/or retracted positions in alternative embodiments.

The internal mechanisms according to the above-described cam embodimentsallow the respective covers to be easily rotated with a single hand tomove the pen cartridge between its extended and retracted positions.Moreover, the present embodiment does not have any elements protrudingfrom the housing (beside the pen cartridge tip itself). As many of thefamiliar and/or proprietary objects to which the pen is shaped do nothave protruding elements, the present embodiment allows an accuratereplication of these objects.

Writing Instrument Including Edge Slide Assembly

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described withrespect to FIGS. 25–26A. The embodiments of FIGS. 25–26A include covers104 and 106 having outer surfaces and outer edge surfaces substantiallyas described above. In this embodiment, the covers are fixedly attachedto each other with a conventional adhesive or fastener so as not torotate with respect to each other. It is understood that the housing mayalternatively be formed by attaching component parts other than covers104 and 106. For example, two semicircular halves may be attachedtogether to form housing 102. Regardless of how the covers are affixedto each other, the covers define an interior space in which the internalcomponents of the pen are mounted.

In particular, an edge slide 166 is mounted within the interior spacedefined by the covers, which slide 166 is capable of arcuate translationaround a portion of the interior space. The edge slide 166 includes anarcuate, wedge-shaped section 168 having a relatively wide rear section170 which narrows to substantially a point at a front section 172. Theedge slide 166 further includes an arcuate extension 174 extending fromrear section 170. The edge slide 166 additionally has a finger grip 176attached at the rear section 170 and extending outside of the footprintof the covers 104 and 106. A portion of the outer circumferential wallsformed in covers 104 and 106 may be omitted to allow translation of theedge slide 166 outside of the housing as described below. A pair ofguides 171 are additionally mounted to the surface of either cover 104or 106 between which the pen cartridge 138 is seated.

In its retracted position shown in FIGS. 25 and 25A, the rear of pencartridge 138 (i.e., the top as shown in FIG. 25) lies engaged with thefront section 172 of edge slide 166. It is also contemplated that therear pen cartridge 138 not contact any portion of the edge slide 166when the cartridge is in its retracted position. To extend the pencartridge to the position shown in FIGS. 26 and 26A, the finger grip 176is manually actuated in the counterclockwise direction from theperspective of FIGS. 25 and 26. Upon such actuation, a ramp surface 178of the wedge-shaped section 168 forces the pen cartridge downward withrespect to FIG. 25, thus moving the pen cartridge to its extendedposition shown in FIGS. 26 and 26A. The arcuate extension 174 servesboth to facilitate smooth arcuate translation of the edge slide 166, andalso to cover the hole 114 in the housing when the edge slide 166 is inthe position shown in FIGS. 25 and 25A.

In a preferred embodiment, a spring 180 may be provided around cartridge138, which spring biases the cartridge upward from the perspective ofFIGS. 25 and 26 to its retracted position. Thus, when the edge slide ismoved clockwise, spring 180 biases the pen cartridge 138 back into itsretracted position as ramp 178 recedes. It is understood that biasingmechanisms other than springs may be used to bias the pen cartridge backto its retracted position.

The edge slide is configured so that a 45° arcuate translation of theedge slide will result in an approximate ¼ inch translation of the pencartridge which is sufficient to move the pen cartridge between itsextended and retracted positions. The configuration of edge slide 166,and in particular the slope of ramp surface 178, may be varied inalternative embodiments to vary the translation of pen cartridge 138 fora given arcuate translation of edge slide 166. In one alternativeembodiment, the edge slide may translate over an arc ranging between 30°and 180°.

As will be appreciated from this embodiment, the finger grip 176 may beeasily manipulated by one hand to move the tip of the writing cartridgebetween its extended and retracted positions.

Writing Instrument Including Gravity-Activated Assembly

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 27–30C and 83–92. The embodiments of FIGS. 27–30C and83–92 include covers 104 and 106 having outer surfaces and outer edgesurfaces substantially as described above. In this embodiment, thecovers 104 and 106 are fixedly attached to each other with aconventional adhesive or fastener so as not to rotate with respect toeach other. A pair of guides 182 are formed on the inner surface 110 ofcover 104, or alternatively on the inner surface 118 of cover 106,between which guides the pen cartridge 138 is seated. One or moredetents 186 are formed in the guides 182. The detents are provided at aposition along the length of the guides 182 for receiving a lockingmember such as locking ball 188 to maintain the pen in its extendedposition.

In particular, in its retracted position shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, thelocking ball 188 is seated within a detent 186. The cartridge 138remains in its retracted position as shown in FIG. 27 due to the forcesof gravity. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 28, a gravity-actuated slidecover 190 may seal the hole 114 to maintain the pen cartridge in itsretracted position when not in use. In the embodiment of FIG. 28, beforethe pen cartridge may be extended, the pen must be tilted on its side sothat gravity moves the cover 190 away from the hole 114. One of theguides 182 may include a foot portion 191 which, together with the wallof the cover, restricts the movement of the cover to slide between afirst position where the hole 114 is covered and a second position wherethe hole 114 is uncovered. A stop 193 may further be provided to limitthe motion of the cover when in the second position. After the pen hasbeen tilted to move the cover 190 to the second position, the pen may bepointed downward so that gravity moves the pen cartridge to the extendedposition shown in FIG. 28A. The tilting of the pen to move the coveraway from the hole 114 and pointing of the pen downward to, extend thepen cartridge may be accomplished in a single hand motion.

As shown in FIG. 28A, when the cartridge 138 moves to its extendedposition, the locking ball 188 moves out of the detent and seats on topof the back end of the pen cartridge. The position of the detents 186are determined by the length of pen cartridge 138 so that locking ball188 is able to move out of the detent 186 when the tip of the pencartridge is fully extended. The spacing between the guides 182 issmaller than the diameter of the locking ball so that, seated on top ofthe pen cartridge, the locking ball wedges against corners 195 and 197of the guides so to lock the pen cartridge in its extended position. Aslong as the locking ball 188 remains in position on the back end of thepen cartridge, the pen cartridge will remain in its extended position.In order to retract the pen, the pen is lifted off of the writingsurface and tilted, at which point the locking ball 188 falls back intoa detent 186. Thereafter, tilting the pen upward retracts the pencartridge rearward into the housing 102.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 29 and 29A, when the pen isin the retracted position, the locking ball 188 may be seated betweenthe guides 182 at the back end of the pen cartridge 138. The cartridge138 may remain in its retracted position due to the forces of gravity asshown in FIG. 29. When the writing instrument 100 is oriented so thatthe tip of the pen cartridge faces generally downward as shown in FIG.29A, the forces of gravity will bias the pen cartridge to its extendedposition (in embodiments including a slide cover 190, the slide covermust first be opened for the pen cartridge to move to its extendedposition). As shown in FIG. 29A, when the cartridge 138 moves to itsextended position, the locking ball 188 will seat partially withindetent 186. Seated partially within the detent, the locking ball locksthe pen cartridge in its extended position by preventing the cartridge138 from retracting. As long as the instrument remains tilted in thewriting position, locking ball 188 will remain in detent 186, and thepen cartridge will remain in its extended position. In order to retractthe pen, the pen is tilted upward, at which point the locking ball 188falls out of detent 186 and the forces of gravity retract the pencartridge rearward into the space between guides 182.

FIG. 30A shows a cross-section of the detents 186 shown in FIG. 29A.Instead of having two detents 186, the guides 182 may be formed with asingle discrete detent 186 as shown in FIG. 30B, or more than twodiscrete detents 186 as shown in FIG. 30C for receiving locking ball188.

The gravity activated embodiment of the present invention is furthershown in FIGS. 83–85. The writing instrument 100 shown therein operatesin the same manner as the writing instrument 100 shown in FIGS. 27–28A.It includes a locking member comprising a locking pin 188, and first andsecond detents 186 a and 186 b. When the writing instrument is tiltedupwards, the locking pin 188 resides in first detent 186 a as shown inFIG. 84. In this position, the pen cartridge 138 is free to retract dueto the forces of gravity. When the writing instrument is tilteddownwards, the locking pin 188 slides partially out of detent 186 a,across the channel defined by guides 182, and seats partially withindetent 186 b as shown in FIG. 85. In this position, the pen is preventedfrom retracting and is held in a position for writing. (While thewriting instrument shown in FIGS. 83–85 has a square shape, it isunderstood that the writing instrument shown in FIGS. 27–29A and 83–85may be circular, square or other shapes as described above.)

It is understood that the detents 186 a and 186 b may be perpendicularlyoriented with respect to the channel defined by guides 182 as shown inFIGS. 83–85. Alternatively, the detents 186 a and 186 b may be angledwith respect to the channel defined by guides 182 as shown in FIGS.86–88. The embodiment of the writing instrument 100 shown in FIGS. 86–88operates similarly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 83–85 and componentswhich are common to both embodiments have been assigned like referencenumerals. However, the embodiment of FIGS. 86–88 makes use of the factthat the pen is generally tilted when in the writing position so thatthe detents 186 a and 186 b shown in FIGS. 86–88 will be orientedstraight up and down when the instrument 100 is tilted in the writingposition to ensure that the locking pin 188 is ensured of sliding to thelocking position shown in FIG. 88.

A further alternative embodiment of the gravity activated writinginstrument according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 89–92.This embodiment includes covers 104 and 106 as previously described, anda gravity cartridge assembly 194. Cartridge assembly 194 includes acartridge housing 196 fixedly mounted to either cover 104 or 106 andsealed at its back end with a cartridge assembly cap 198. Cap 198 ispreferably cylindrically shaped with a central opening 199 facing theinterior of the housing 196 when the cap 198 is inserted into the backend of housing 196. A pen cartridge 138 as described above is locatedwithin the cartridge housing 196, which pen cartridge 138 includes a cap200. A gravity tube 202 is also provided within the cartridge housing196, which tube 202 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than an innerdiameter of cartridge housing 196 so that tube 202 is free to translatebetween a front end and back end of the housing 196. The position of thetube 202 is determined by gravity so that when the front end of thecartridge housing faces downward the tube 202 resides in the front endof the housing and when the back end of the cartridge housing facesdownward the tube 202 resides in the back end of the housing. Tube 202includes a central aperture 204 through which the pen cartridge 138fits.

When the writing instrument 100 according to this embodiment is tilteddownward as represented in FIG. 90, gravity moves tube 202 to the frontof the cartridge housing, and moves the pen cartridge to the extendedposition where the pen tip protrudes out of the housing 102. When thepen tip is pressed down on a writing surface, the pen tip and pencartridge will be biased rearward relative to the cartridge housing 196.As the pen is tilted when writing, a force will also be exerted on thepen cartridge biasing the back end of the pen cartridge into contactwith a portion of the cylindrical side walls of the housing 196.Therefore, upon application of the writing force, the back end of thepen cartridge will move rearward and wedge against a front portion ofcartridge assembly cap 198 as shown in FIG. 90 to maintain the pen inthe extended writing position.

When the writing instrument 100 according to this embodiment is tiltedupward, the tube 202 moves toward the back end of the cartridge housing196 as shown in FIG. 91, and seats atop the cartridge assembly cap 198as shown in FIG. 92. The inner diameter of the tube 202, at least at itsback end, is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of thecylindrical cartridge assembly cap 198. Thus, when seated atop the cap198, the tube 202 prevents the back end of the pen cartridge fromwedging against the cap 198, and when tilted upwards away from thewriting surface as represented in FIG. 92, the back end of the pencartridge funnels into the central opening 199 under the force ofgravity to retract the pen tip into the housing 102.

While the cartridge housing 196, the cap 198 and the tube 202 arepreferably cylindrical, it is understood that these components may haveother shapes in cross section in alternative embodiments, such as forexample rectangular. Moreover, while the pen tip is shown as retractedinto the cartridge housing 196 in FIG. 92, it is understood that the pentip need only retract into the housing 102 of the writing instrument, inwhich housing 102 the cartridge housing 196 is fixedly mounted. In suchan embodiment, the pen tip may be in a retracted position within housing102 and still protrude from cartridge housing 196.

According to the embodiments of FIGS. 27–30C, 83–89 and 93–95, the pencartridge may be easily moved between its extended and retractedpositions by a simple flick of the wrist or tilting of the writinginstrument 100. In embodiments including a hand-actuated slide cover,the pen may be maintained in its retracted position when not in use, andeasily moved to its extended position with a single hand by sliding theslide cover to an open position and then tilting the pen as describedabove.

Writing Instrument With Push Button-Activation Assembly

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 31–34. The embodiments of FIGS. 31–34 include covers104 and 106 having outer surfaces substantially as described above. Eachcover according to this embodiment preferably further includes a wall208 extending around the outer circumference of each cover. The walls208 of the respective covers are preferably of the same diameter and arefixedly attached to each other at their upper edges as by an adhesive orfastener. The walls 208 preferably include aligned openings 210 throughwhich the pen cartridge 138 may extend and retract.

According to this embodiment, the pen cartridge 138 may be moved betweenits extended and retracted positions by a conventional push buttonassembly 212 which is well known in the pen industry for extending andretracting a pen out of an elongated pen casing. In general, push buttonassembly 212 includes a plunger 214 having a push button 216 at its topend extending out of the housing 102, and a plurality of track followers218 at its bottom end. Push button assembly 212 further includesformations 221 on the inner surfaces 110 and 118 of the covers 104 and106 (only the formation 221 on the cover 104 is shown). When the coversare assembled together, the formations 221 together define an enclosurehaving a plurality of tracks 222 in which track followers 218 move upand down upon hand activation of the push button 216 of plunger 214. Theassembly 212 further includes an actuator 228 fitting substantiallywithin the plunger and against which the pen cartridge 138 abuts. Aspring 230 is provided around a lower portion of the pen cartridge tobias the pen cartridge upward against the actuator 228. The actuatorincludes a number of teeth 232, which reside in alternating tracks 222(e.g., there may be four teeth 232 on the actuator 228 and eight tracks222 defined by the formations 221).

As shown in FIGS. 32–34, and as is known in the art, upon each manualactuation of the plunger 214, the actuator will rotate the pitch of onetrack 222 as a result of teeth 232 within the tracks having slantededges (not shown). When the teeth of the actuator reside in one set ofalternating tracks, the teeth catch on stops (not shown) in the tracksso that the actuator is prevented from fully retracting. In thisinstance, the pen cartridge abutting against the actuator is held in theextended position as shown in FIG. 32. Upon the next depression ofplunger 214, the teeth move to the next adjacent set of tracks, wherethey do not catch (FIG. 33) so that the spring 230 biases the pencartridge, actuator and plunger downward (FIG. 34) to a retractedposition.

As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, other known pushbutton assemblies may be employed wherein the tip of the pen cartridge138 is alternately extended and retracted upon finger activation of amechanism extending from the housing 102.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.35–40. This embodiment includes an assembly which operates similarly tothe push-button assembly 212 disclosed above with respect to FIGS.31–34, except that the push button 216 is omitted. According to thisembodiment, the two covers 104, 106 are slidably mounted to each otherto provide a so-called “slide by” actuation to move the pen cartridgebetween its extended and retracted positions. One of the covers, forexample cover 104, includes posts 234, each of which includes a lip 236.The other of the covers, for example cover 106, includes a correspondingnumber of slots 238 formed partially through the wall on the interior ofthe cover. The lip 236 of each post 234 mates within a slot 238. As theslots are wider than the posts and lips, the lip is capable of slidingin the slot to allow the respective covers to slide back and forth withrespect to each other.

In accordance with this embodiment, the plunger 214 (without the pushbutton 216) abuts against an interior wall 240 of either cover 104 or106. In an embodiment where the plunger 214 abuts against wall 240 oncover 106, when it is desired to move the pen cartridge between itsextended and retracted positions, the cover 106 is advanced (downward asshown in FIG. 39) relative to cover 104. This movement in turn moves theplunger downward and the actuator 228 will rotate between alternatingratchet positions as described above. In a first rachet position (shownin FIG. 38), the teeth 232 of the actuator do not catch on the tracks222, and the pen remains in the retracted position. In a second rachetposition (shown in FIG. 40), the teeth 232 of the actuator do catch onthe tracks 222, and the pen is held in an extended position. A spring230 as described above biases the pen into a retracted position and alsobiases the covers into a coextensive position.

A further alternative embodiment of the slide by actuation mechanism ofFIGS. 35–40 is shown in FIGS. 93–98. Components which are common to bothembodiments have been assigned like reference numerals. In thisembodiment, instead of formations 221 being formed on the inner surfaces110 and 118 of the covers 104 and 106 as described above, the formations221 are formed around an inner diameter of a cylindrical ratchet housing260 (FIG. 94) so that the formations form a plurality of tracks 222 asdescribed above within ratchet housing 260. Ratchet housing 260 is inturn fixedly mounted to either cover 104 or 106. Additionally, a pair ofsprings 262 are further provided, which springs compress when the coversare moved with respect to each other as shown in FIG. 39. The springs262, which are preferably provided in cover 104 as shown in FIG. 93 orin cover 106 as shown in FIG. 95, bias the covers in a “home” positionwith respect to each other, i.e. to a position where the covers arecoextensive with each other.

The pen tip may protrude from a side between two corners in the slide byratchet pen assembly as shown in FIGS. 35–40 and 93–95. Alternatively,as shown in FIGS. 96–98, the covers 104 and 106 may be square, but thepen tip may protrude from a corner where two sides come together. Thus,the covers move with respect to each other along a line between a pairof diametrically opposed corners to extend and retract the pen tip bythe ratcheting assembly as described above.

Writing Instrument Including Pressure-Activated Assembly

Although not shown in the drawings, a further embodiment of the presentinvention may comprise a writing instrument where the pen cartridge isactuated between its extended and retracted positions as a result ofapplying inwardly directed pressure on the outer surfaces of covers 104and 106. According to this embodiment, covers 104 and 106 are preferablyformed of an elastic polymer such as any of various plastics, and havinga modulus of elasticity that allow the covers to elastically deform upona pressure applied to the outer surface of the covers.

As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, various mechanismsmay be employed in accordance with this embodiment to extend and retractthe pen cartridge. For example, the mechanism could be made up of aseries of tiny, interconnected four-bar linkages so that a pressureexerted on the mechanism in one direction (i.e., along the upper andlower edge of the mechanism) results in a change in the length of themechanism. The mechanism would be located within the housing 102 in aplane perpendicular to the inner surfaces of covers 104 and 106, andcolinear with pen cartridge 138. Each joint in the mechanism could beaffixed together by a small pin holding the respective members togetherwhile allowing rotation of the joined members with respect to eachother. The back end of the pen cartridge would be affixed to or abuttingagainst the end of the mechanism, so that upon extension of themechanism as a result of pressure on the covers, the mechanism and thecartridge would extend. A rachet and spring assembly as described abovecould be used to hold the pen extended upon a first application ofpressure to the covers, and to allow the pen to retract upon a secondapplication of pressure.

As an alternative to covers formed of a polymer, the covers may beformed of a thin gauge metal with an inherent bias into a position wherethe covers bow slightly outward. In this embodiment, upon application ofa threshold pressure to the respective covers, the covers may invert sothat the covers bow inward to actuate the cartridge extension mechanismas described above. Due to the inherent bias of the covers to remain intheir natural position, the covers will snap quickly inward uponapplication of the threshold pressure, and will snap quickly back totheir natural position upon removal of the pressure. The covers may alsobe made to make an audible snapping noise when moving between theirnatural and inwardly bowed positions.

Each component used in making the writing instrument 100 according tothe various above-described embodiments can be manufactured andassembled at a low cost, thus allowing the finished writing instrumentto be economically manufactured. However, it is further understood thathigh-end writing instruments according to the above-describedembodiments may also be provided. In such writing instruments, the focusis not in providing an economical finished product, but in providing aprecision, durable and/or elegant finished product. As will beappreciated by those of skill in the art, other components may besubstituted for those described above for providing such a high-endwriting instrument.

As described above, in addition to the bottle cap shown, the appearanceof the outer housing 102 may be that of any of several familiar and/orproprietary objects. A partial listing of such objects is set forthbelow:

-   -   a double sided bottle cap as shown in FIG. 41 and a single sided        bottle cap, such as a bleach bottle cap, as shown in FIG. 41A;    -   food items, such as a cookie and a hamburger as shown in FIGS.        42–43;    -   a compact disk as shown in FIG. 44;    -   a gambling chip as shown in FIG. 45;    -   candy as shown in FIGS. 46–48;    -   a computer chip as shown in FIGS. 49 and 49A;    -   a floppy disk such as shown in FIG. 50;    -   rotary and digital watches such as shown in FIGS. 51 and 52        (this embodiment may comprise an actual working watch affixed to        a cover, or a non-working replica of a watch face);    -   a cover of a container, such as an ice cream container, as shown        in FIGS. 53 and 53A;    -   a coaster as shown in FIG. 54;    -   a pill and capsule such as shown in FIGS. 55, 56 and 56A;    -   a plate as shown in FIG. 57;    -   a makeup compact as shown in FIG. 58;    -   a rivet such as shown in FIG. 59;    -   a coin as shown in FIGS. 60 and 60A;    -   a cracker such as shown in FIG. 61;    -   a rotary phone dial as shown in FIG. 62;    -   a tire as shown in FIG. 63;    -   a chocolate chip cookie as shown in FIG. 64 (this embodiment may        comprise back-to-back cookies as shown or a single cookie);    -   a pizza as shown in FIG. 65;    -   a bottle as shown in FIG. 66;    -   a hockey puck as shown in FIG. 67;    -   a golf ball as shown in FIG. 68 (the ball may be spherical as in        FIG. 68, or it may have a slimmer profile including convex        surfaces or flattened convex surfaces as shown in the        cross-sectional views of the housing 102 in FIGS. 68A and 68B,        respectively, to be more compact);    -   a basketball as shown in FIG. 69 (the ball may be spherical as        in FIG. 69, or it may have a slimmer profile including convex        surfaces or flattened convex surfaces as shown in the        cross-sectional views of the housing 102 in FIGS. 69A and 69B,        respectively, to be more compact);    -   a soccer ball as shown in FIG. 70 (the ball may be spherical as        in FIG. 70, or it may have a slimmer profile including convex        surfaces or flattened convex surfaces as shown in the        cross-sectional views of the housing 102 in FIGS. 70A and 70B,        respectively, to be more compact);    -   a tennis ball as shown in FIG. 71 (the ball may be spherical as        in FIG. 71, or it may have a slimmer profile including convex        surfaces or flattened convex surfaces as shown in the        cross-sectional views of the housing 102 in FIGS. 71A and 71B,        respectively, to be more compact);    -   a football as shown in FIG. 72 (the ball may be shaped like an        inflated football as in FIG. 72, or it may have a slimmer        profile including convex surfaces or flattened convex surfaces        as shown in the cross-sectional views of the housing 102 in        FIGS. 72A and 72B, respectively, to be more compact);    -   a baseball as shown in FIG. 73 (the ball may be spherical as in        FIG. 73, or it may have a slimmer profile including convex        surfaces or flattened convex surfaces as shown in the        cross-sectional views of the housing 102 in FIGS. 73A and 73B,        respectively, to be more compact);    -   a volleyball as shown in FIG. 74 (the ball may be spherical as        in FIG. 74, or it may have a slimmer profile including convex        surfaces or flattened convex surfaces as shown in the        cross-sectional views of the housing 102 in FIGS. 74A and 74B,        respectively, to be more compact);    -   a compact disk case as shown in FIG. 99;    -   a book as shown in FIG. 100;    -   a cereal box as shown in FIG. 101;    -   a cigarette pack as shown in FIG. 102;    -   laundry detergent containers as shown in FIGS. 103 and 104;    -   a bar of soap as shown in FIG. 105;    -   a bottle containing a beverage or alcohol such as shown in FIG.        106;    -   a box for a bar of soap as shown in FIG. 107; and    -   a match box as shown in FIG. 108.

It is understood that the above list is exemplary and it is understoodthat the outward appearance of the writing instrument 100 may have manyother additional shapes and appearances in alternative embodiments. Forexample, the writing instrument may comprise a generic object, or slug,having blank covers and edges. Still further examples include a writinginstrument 100 having a transparent cover affixed to the outer surfaceof cover 104 and/or 106, into which transparent cover a photo or otherpicture may be placed. The outer surface of cover 104 and/or 106 mayalternatively be coated with a material capable of accepting afingerprint. In a still further example, the outer surface of cover 104and/or 106 may include a material that changes color with a change inpressure or temperature. Such materials are known and used for examplein so-called “mood rings”. In another embodiment, one or both covers maybe coated with a fragrance in accordance with so-called “scratch andsniff” technology. Although the pen is shown in the above describedfigures as protruding from a side between two corners of the generallysquare-shaped embodiments, it is understood that the pen tip mayalternative protrude from a corner where two sides come together.Moreover, it is understood that a writing instrument shaped or appearingas any of the above-described objects can operate in accordance witheach of the above-described embodiments for extending and retracting thepen cartridge.

For example, the embodiment of FIG. 48, including a hole in the middleof the writing instrument, can operate with the cam assembly of FIGS.4–9. This particular configuration is shown in FIGS. 78–82 where writinginstrument 100 includes a central hole 250. As described above withrespect to FIGS. 4–9, when the writing instrument 100 in FIGS. 78–82 isassembled, the pen guide 128 lies between the respective covers 104 and106. Rotation of the second cover clockwise from the view of FIGS. 80–82with respect to the first cover causes rotation of the track 124 asshown. Rotation of the track 124 in turn causes translation of the trackfollowing section 132, which is constrained to translate horizontallyfrom the views of FIGS. 78–82 as a result of the guide followingsections 136 (not shown in FIGS. 78–82) riding along the linear guides126. Thus, rotation of the second cover from the position shown in FIG.80, through the position shown in FIG. 81, to the position shown in FIG.82 results in the writing end of the cartridge 138 moving from itsretracted position to its extended position.

As stated above, each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 41–74A canoperate in accordance with any of the above-described embodiments forextending and retracting the pen cartridge. Therefore, the seam shownfor example in FIGS. 41, 41A, 44, 45, 47A, 48, 49A, 51–56A, 60A–65, and67–47B can be between two rotationally engaged sections of the housing,or between two fixedly engaged sections of the housing.

It is understood that the outward shape of the writing instrument maytake on various three dimensional shapes in alternative embodiments. Forexample, the instrument 100 may be cylindrically shaped, such as forexample in the shape of a can or a bottle, or may be irregularly shaped,such as for example in the shape of a person, character or automobile.For such embodiments, the internal components according to the variousembodiments described above for extending and retracting the pencartridge may be housed within an internal compartment within the outerhousing. (It may not be practical to use rotating components to extendand retract the pen cartridge in some of these alternative shapeembodiments.)

In embodiments where the housing 102 is shaped for example like abottle, a viscous liquid may be provided in a sealed area within thehousing 102, isolated from the internal compartment in which theextending and retracting components are located. In such embodiments,the liquid may create the impression of the liquid being poured from thebottle as the writing instrument is tilted downward to the writingposition. Moreover, in for example the gravity-activated embodimentdescribed above, a conventional damper may be employed to slow themovement of the pen cartridge as the pen cartridge extends from andretracts into the housing, thus creating the impression that the pen tipis being poured out of the housing 102.

As set forth briefly above, while a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention relates to a writing instrument, it is understood that othertools may be mounted within housing 102. Such tools can have an outerappearance of a familiar and/or proprietary object as described above,and can be extended and retracted in accordance with the variousembodiments described above. For example, as shown in FIGS. 75 and 76,respectively, a screwdriver or cutting blade may be provided withinhousing 102. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 77, a light source may beprovided within housing 102. In such an embodiment, in addition toextending and retracting the light source, the internal mechanisms canactivate the light source when it is extended, and can deactivate thelight source when it is retracted. It is further understood that themechanisms for activating and deactivating the light source may beseparate from those extending and retracting the light source. Furtherstill, it is contemplated that the internal mechanisms merely activateand deactivate the light source, without extending or retracting it.

In further alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that writinginstrument 100 include a wide variety of battery or solar poweredelectronics. In such instances the electronics can be activated uponextension or retraction of the pen cartridge. In addition to the lightsource describe above, the electronics may include a sound chip foremitting audible sounds, words and/or melodies.

It is an advantage of the present invention that it provides a much moreeffective promotional and marketing vehicle than that presented byconventional printing on the side of a writing instrument. This is sobecause the pen does not have the word “Oreo”® printed on its side, itis an Oreo®; it does not have a picture of an auto manufacturer's emblemon its side, it is the emblem; it does not have a picture of aCoca-Cola® bottle on its side, it is a Coca-Cola® bottle, or at leastclose replicas thereof. The present invention conjures a corporate imagewithout having to read or study information printed on a side of a pen,and thus provides a more effective at-a-glance marketing tool than wordsor information about the object could ever be. Moreover, a writinginstrument according to the present invention will have much greatervalue as a novelty item than conventional pens.

Although the invention has been described in detail herein, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments hereindisclosed. Various changes, substitutions and modifications may be madethereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as described and defined by the appended claims.

1. A writing instrument, comprising: a housing having an outwardappearance of a familiar or proprietary object, wherein said housingincludes a first cover component and a second cover component, saidsecond cover component mounted with, and free to rotate relative to,said first cover component, within a plane of movement; a writingelement mounted at least substantially within said housing, said writingelement having a writing tip capable of extending from said housingwithin said plane of movement; guide components including a cam and camfollower, that translate the relative rotation of the first and secondcover, into lateral translation of the writing element within the planeof movement; and wherein said writing tip may be retracted within saidhousing to maintain the outward appearance of the familiar orproprietary object.
 2. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein: saidfirst cover component and said second cover component are mountedconcentrically with, and free to move relative to one another; andwherein a rotation of said first cover component relative to said secondcover component causes said guide components to move said writingelement laterally, and to extend and/or retract said writing tip fromsaid housing.
 3. A writing instrument as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid outward appearance is that of a pizza.
 4. A writing instrument asrecited in claim 1, wherein said outward appearance is that of a bottle.5. A writing instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said outwardappearance is that of a hockey puck.
 6. A writing instrument as recitedin claim 1, wherein said outward appearance is that of a golf ball.
 7. Awriting instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said outwardappearance is that of a basketball.
 8. A writing instrument as recitedin claim 1, wherein said outward appearance is that of a tennis ball. 9.A writing instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said outwardappearance is that of a football.
 10. A writing instrument as recited inclaim 1, wherein said outward appearance is that of a baseball.
 11. Awriting instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said outwardappearance is that of a soccer ball.
 12. A writing instrument as recitedin claim 1, wherein said outward appearance is that of a cookie.
 13. Awriting instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said outwardappearance is that of a hamburger.
 14. A writing instrument as recitedin claim 1, wherein said outward appearance is that of a bottle cap. 15.The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the cam is coupled to eitherthe first cover or the second cover, and wherein the cam follower iscoupled to the writing element.
 16. The writing instrument of claim 15wherein the cam is attached to the inner wall of the first cover or thesecond cover, and the cam follower is coupled to the writing element.17. The writing instrument of claim 15 wherein the cam is formed by aportion of the inner wall of the first cover or the second cover, andthe cam follower is coupled to the writing element.
 18. The writinginstrument of claim 1, wherein the cam is formed by a portion of theinner surface of the first cover, wherein the cam includes a pair ofspaced walls forming a pair of linear guides that define an arcuatetrack, and wherein the cam follower protrudes from the writing elementand travels within the track.
 19. The writing instrument of claim 18,wherein at least one of the first cover and the second cover includes astop extending from the inner surface, so that when in the extendedposition, the writing element abuts against the stops to prevent furtherrespective rotation of the covers and to define a maximum extension ofthe pen tip from the housing.
 20. The writing instrument of claim 1,wherein the inner surface of the first cover includes a raised sectiondefining an oblong-shaped cam, and having a first end at the center ofthe cover, and having a second end extending radially outward therefromtoward the outer circumference of the cover, and wherein the innersurface of the second cover includes a depression defining a trackextending diagonally across the inner surface, through the center of thecover, and wherein the cam follower protrudes from the writing elementand travels within the track.
 21. The writing instrument of claim 1,wherein the writing element comprises a span, formed of an elasticpolymer, and having a modulus of elasticity allowing the span to flexbetween a first and second position, wherein the first cover includes apair of braces mounted to the inner surface of the cover for supportingthe ends of the pen guide, and wherein the second cover includes anoval-shaped cam mounted to the inner surface of the cover.